Barrett to discuss her new book on Leopold and Loeb at Max and Benny’s “The Leopold and Loeb Files” (published July 17, 2018; Midway Books; 978-1-57284-240-3), by author Nina Barrett will be the topic of...

Orland Fire hosts free morning coffee for residents March 28 The Orland Fire Protection District along with Aishling Companion Home Care had a very well-attended Coffee & Conversation at the Fire District Administration Board Room...

April is National Arab American Heritage month The month of April has been recognized as National Arab American Heritage Month by at least 8 U.S. States and the District of Columbia. The effort needs to...

Consolidated General Election April 2 Illinois will hold its Consolidated General Election on Tuesday April 2, 2019. The election will includes candidates running for local offices including village trustee, municipal aldermen and in some areas...

April is National Arab American Heritage month The month of April has been recognized as National Arab American Heritage Month by at least 8 U.S. States and the District of Columbia. The effort needs to...

April is National Arab American Heritage month The month of April has been recognized as National Arab American Heritage Month by at least 8 U.S. States and the District of Columbia. The effort needs to...

April is National Arab American Heritage month The month of April has been recognized as National Arab American Heritage Month by at least 8 U.S. States and the District of Columbia. The effort needs to...

April is National Arab American Heritage month The month of April has been recognized as National Arab American Heritage Month by at least 8 U.S. States and the District of Columbia. The effort needs to...

VETERANS COLUMN, NEWS

Oswego Navy Recruit works on guided missile destroyer U.S. Navy Seaman Melissa Van Barriger, from Oswego, Illinois, uses a controller to operate a sliding pad eye onboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) during a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193) in the South China Sea, March 3, 2019. The John …

Veterans News and Information By Jerry Field Forces To Flyers Program The U.S. Department of Transportation has a new program for veterans who want to be commercial pilots. The “Forces to Flyers” program is a three-year research initiative led by the Department of Transportation and Volpe National Transportation Systems Center. A veteran can enter …

Veterans Profile, Photo: U.S. Navy Fireman Leo Mendez U.S. Navy Fireman Leo Mendez, from Chicago, lifts a saltwater pump in the steam and heat shop aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in the Pacific Ocean, Feb. 20, 2019. The John C. Stennis is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of …

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BUSINESS NEWS COLUMNS

Max and Benny’s Offers Passover Seder food service Passover is a very special time of year, and we look forward to the opportunity of spending it with you! All week we will be offering a … Click to read more

Last Blockbuster Store & Last Blockbuster Mansion Time to say goodbye to all that was Blockbuster except the one last holdout store in Bend, Oregon – now relegated as an iconic classic with the closing … Click to read more

“One of a Kind Spring Show” at The Mart shares gift ideas The Mart’s Shopping Experts have Eliminated all the Guess Work, Providing an Unmatched Selection of Perfect Gifts ju­st in Time for Mother’s Day, … Click to read more

Illinois ranks as 2nd worst state for taxation Illinois’ taxation is the 2nd highest in the country for residents who are in low income, middle income categories and only slightly better, 3rd highest for residents in … Click to read more

STATEWIDE NEWS

Speaker details actions taken to address sexual harassment In February 2018, the Office of the Speaker released a summary of past complaints of discrimination and harassment. That document included descriptions of two allegations involving Travis …

Harper proposes measure to institute “Smarter Sentencing” in Illinois As part of her commitment to criminal justice reform, state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is proposing a major overhaul of Illinois’ sentencing laws, easing reliance on …

BRIEFS

Wolves win eight straight at home Forward Tye McGinn scored 1:43 into overtime to lift the Chicago Wolves over the Milwaukee Admirals 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Allstate Arena. McGinn caught a pass in stride from forward Stefan Matteau, split a pair of Admirals and sent a backhand a shot over goaltender Tom McCollum’s blocker …

Willow Springs looks to future

Willow Springs looks to future

Village tries to be more friendly to potential businesses

By Steve Metsch

Willow Springs has been busy celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, but is looking to the future.

Speaking at a recent meeting of the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce, village administrator Brent Woods called Willow Springs “a little town with a lot of potential.”

The village suffered “a major setback” when a fire destroyed the historic Willowbrook Ballroom in October 2016, he said. But the future is bright as the village is working with the Dance For Life Foundation.

“We’re trying to secure funding through grants and fund raising. They plan to restore it with a Drury Lake type of structure with a hotel,” he told other officials gathered at the William Tell Holiday Inn in Countryside last month.

He noted that since the election of Mayor John Carpino earlier this year, the village has become “a business-friendly community.”

“Businesses are the backbone of the community. Without businesses, we don’t survive. If we don’t work with you, we lose you,” Woods said.

He said he’s been out meeting with business owners, “reaching out to them.” Several, Woods said, have told him that the village was not very business friendly before, and welcomed the new approach.

The village has restructured some business license fees. “We want to make it a more attractive place to come to,” Woods said.

He considers the chamber to be “a clearinghouse of sorts for available business properties, and urged the chamber to perhaps list what each town has to offer in terms of square footage and rents.

“One of other things I do, and suggest other communities do, is whenever I get somebody coming into the village hall to apply for a business license, I give them the chamber application. It helps the chamber grow. When the chamber grows, we all grow,” Woods added.

Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer for a financial newsletter, a health magazine and the Naperville Sun.Email Steve Metsch at sm4610@sbcglobal.net

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BREAKING NEWS

Ald. Quinn Reminds Seniors to call Ward Office for Help with Snow Removal Ald. Marty Quinn today reminded seniors in the 13th Ward to call his office for help with snow and ice removal. In light of this week’s extreme weather conditions and more snow predicted for tomorrow, Quinn wants people to be sure they have …

Mayor Getty and community mourn Trustee Greg Ramirez passing Mayor Christopher Getty has Closed the Lyons Village Hall and suspended Garbage Service for Monday, January 28th in a Call for Mourning of Trustee Greg Ramirez “It is with deep regret that we share the news of the passing of Village of Lyons Trustee Gregory F. …